Singer D4vd Faces Trial with New Legal Team After Prominent Lawyers Withdraw

POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, USA — Singer D4vd, also known as David Anthony Burke, has entered a new not guilty plea in Los Angeles on charges related to the murder, sexual abuse, and dismemberment of...

Editorial Desk

September 1, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, USA — Singer D4vd, also known as David Anthony Burke, has entered a new not guilty plea in Los Angeles on charges related to the murder, sexual abuse, and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. His high-profile private lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, have withdrawn from the case.

The reasons for the lawyers’ departure remain unclear. They were replaced by Walid Kandeel from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. The defense team stated that the judge allowed their withdrawal after determining that Burke qualified for a court-appointed lawyer.

Despite the change in legal representation, the District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, assured that the case’s pursuit will remain unaffected. The trial date is yet to be set, but Burke is eligible for the death penalty, a decision still under consideration by the District Attorney’s office.

Burke, who earned over $10 million from his music between 2023 and 2025, now faces the trial with a public defender. The circumstances of his financial qualification for a public defender remain unexplained. The case has drawn significant attention, especially as it involves a rising musical artist and serious criminal charges.

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Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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